violation of human rights
RIGHT TO EDUCATION

Prison's law says: "the Penitentiary Service will encourage the interest of the inmate for the studies and will give them all the facilities for it". But the reality is different:

- It must be borne in mind the physical environment, that makes even more difficult to study into the jail. There is a feeling of tension in the air, it is overcrowded. If they don't feel it, it is because they are in an isolation cell. It is difficult or even impossible sometimes to find a place in silence.

- The governor, instead of facilitating, puts many obstacles. Computers are not allowed. Even computers, obtained through a judge have also been taken away as a punishment.

- Notes are not allowed or sometimes they are held for long months. Sometimes they are delivered after the exam.

- Basque books are systematically held for three months.

- The tutorial system hardly exists. Besides, since the communication is restricted (phone calls restricted or no more than two letter a week) to get in touch with the tutor is a hard job.

- In normal situations the exams are done during three weeks, in the prison they are concentrated in three days.

- The education co-ordinator puts obstacles instead of helping and encouraging prisoners.

- Sometimes it is the height of absurdity, forbidding light bulb and desk lamps.

- Courses offered to other prisoners can not be done for Basque political prisoners, such as workshops, English or computers courses.

To all these, we must add the fact, that the prisoners held in the Spanish state, after a campaign based on lies, are not allowed to study at the Basque university. In all over the world anyone can study at this university except the Basque political prisoners. As a consequence of this prohibition, they cannot study in Basque language. Even, some courses, such as journalism, are unable to follow by UNED (the Open University) and actually the tutorial system is much worse. So quality is worse.